This early production Colt Model 1860 Army has the highly desirable early full fluted cylinder. While over 200,000 Colt Model 1860 Army Model revolvers were manufactured, only around 4,000 were manufactured with fluted cylinders, making this variation especially desirable. Some of these distinctive Colts were shipped to the South before and at the very beginning of the Civil War. Of the small amount of these fluted cylinder revolvers made, most of them were no doubt heavily used during the war, making surviving examples particularly scarce. This example features the one-line Hartford barrel address, faint "COLTS/PATENT" frame marking, frame cut for a shoulder stock, fluted cylinder, and all matching visible serial numbers marked on the barrel, frame, trigger guard, butt, wedge, cylinder pin, cylinder and correctly handwritten in black ink inside the grip mortise. Provenance: The Brig & Louise Pemberton Collection

Fine, retains 40% original blue finish strongest on the bottom of the barrel and in protected areas, 40% original case colors on the frame, 60% plus original silver plating concentrated mostly on the brass front grip strap/trigger guard with strong traces on the edges of the iron back strap, smooth brown and gray patina with scattered freckling on the balance, flattened cylinder safety pins from period use, and defined markings overall. The grip is also fine and retains most of its original glossy piano varnish finish with scattered areas of surface flaking, minor edge wear, and characteristic scattered scratches and handling marks. Mechanically excellent. This revolver both has the desirable "been there" look and a considerable amount of original finish for a Civil War Fluted Army. A fresh genuine example.